Why Do Restaurants Use Potato Buns? Soft, Sturdy & Sweet | BB52
Guides · BB52 Burgers

Burger school

Why Do Restaurants Use Potato Buns?

Potato buns are everywhere on good burger menus. There's a genuine reason chefs reach for them. Here's what makes them so well-suited to burgers.

Short answer

Restaurants use potato buns because they're soft and pillowy, slightly sweet, and unusually sturdy — the potato starch holds moisture so the bun stays tender but doesn't dissolve under a juicy patty and sauce. That balance of softness and strength is hard to beat for a burger.

A bun has a brutal job: be soft and delicate to eat, yet strong enough to survive a hot, juicy, saucy burger without turning to mush. Potato buns thread that needle.

What makes them special

  • Soft & tender — potato starch keeps the crumb pillowy and moist.
  • Sturdy — that same structure resists going soggy, so the burger holds together.
  • Slightly sweet — a gentle sweetness that plays beautifully against salty, savoury beef.
  • Toasts well — a quick toast adds a buttery edge and extra structure.

Potato vs other buns

Brioche is rich and buttery but can get greasy or fall apart; sesame buns are classic but vary wildly in quality; potato buns are the reliable all-rounder. That's why so many burger specialists default to them.

Our buns

BB52 bakes its own buns — including potato, sesame and pretzel buns matched to each burger. Brioche vs potato bun →

See the MenuFind a Location

Frequently asked

Why are potato buns good for burgers?
They're soft and slightly sweet but sturdy — the potato starch keeps them tender while resisting sogginess, so they hold a juicy, saucy burger together without falling apart.
Are potato buns better than brioche?
For sturdiness, often yes — brioche is richer but can get greasy or fall apart. Potato buns are the reliable all-rounder. It comes down to whether you want richness (brioche) or balance (potato).
What buns does BB52 use?
BB52 bakes its own buns, including potato, sesame and pretzel buns, each matched to a particular burger.
Privacy Preferences

We use cookies to enhance your experience and optimize our website’s performance. By continuing to browse, you agree to our use of cookies. These help us improve functionality, analyze usage, and deliver better services.

We use cookies to enhance your experience and optimize our website’s performance. By continuing to browse, you agree to our use of cookies. These help us improve functionality, analyze usage, and deliver better services.